Hugo Viana

Viana agreed to a deal with Al-Wasl F.C. of the same city and league, but the transfer was one of several declared void by the UAE Football Association for missing 3 October 2014 deadline. It was completed the following 19 January. After leaving the club, he retired at age 33 on 13 October 2016, being appointed director of football at Belenenses in May 2017 but leaving his post six months later.

On 5 June 2013, Al Ahli Club from Dubai announced the signing of Viana effective as of 1 July, when his contract with Braga expired. He made his debut on 30 August in the year's Arabian Gulf Super Cup at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, a penalty shootout victory after a goalless draw against Al Ain FC; his performance was described as "quiet" by The National, who attributed it to his unfamiliarity with the heat of the Middle Eastern summer. He totalled 39 appearances and three goals across his first season, helping the team conquer a domestic treble after adding the UAE Arabian Gulf League and the UAE League Cup.

Viana represented Portugal in two World Cups and Euro 2012, also appearing with the under-23s at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

In the 2010–11 season, under the same manager, Domingos Paciência, Viana regained his starting position over Aguiar, whom eventually left the club. On 6 March 2011, again from a direct free kick and against Benfica, he equalized for the hosts, in an eventual 2–1 home win; he also appeared in nine games (all starts) in Braga's UEFA Europa League runner-up run.

On 27 November 2011, in a game against FC Porto, Viana displayed a white T-shirt with the words 'Gary – Rest In Peace', in a tribute to Speed, who had committed suicide earlier that day.

On 31 July 2009, Viana was loaned to S.C. Braga for one season, thus returning to Portugal after three years. As the Minho club led the league in its early stages, he scored his first goals upon returning to his country, hitting twice in a 3–1 home win against C.F. Os Belenenses on 30 August. On 31 October, he again found the net, from a stunning free kick against S.L. Benfica in a 2–0 home triumph where he received player of the match accolades. Braga eventually finished in a best-ever second place, losing the title to precisely this team, in the last matchday, with the player appearing in 28 matches (14 as a reserve – he lost his importance after the return of Uruguayan Luis Aguiar, on loan).

In 2008–09, Viana took no part in manager Unai Emery's plans, being restricted to four UEFA Cup matches and two appearances in the Copa del Rey.

In a bid to secure first-team football, Viana decided to join fellow La Liga side CA Osasuna on loan, on 13 July 2007. However, a serious injury during pre-season forced him out for four months. After recovering, he still featured in all of the last three matches, helping to a narrow escape from relegation.

At the start of 2005–06, Viana moved to Valencia CF, again on loan. In March 2006, reports stated that he had been signed on a permanent deal for £1.5 million. During his first season he struggled to claim a first-team spot, facing tough competition from the likes of David Albelda and Rubén Baraja, manager Quique Sánchez Flores' preferred duo; still, he featured in 19 league games, and displayed some flashes of talent that allowed him to preserve his place in the Portugal national squad.

Viana returned to the national side after UEFA Euro 2004, and appeared in two matches (as a substitute) at the 2006 World Cup. He was called as a last-minute replacement for injured Carlos Martins to the Euro 2012 squad, with the team already in training camp.

On 20 June 2002, 19-year-old Viana was signed by Newcastle United from the Premier League for €12 million (£8.5 million), his transfer fee becoming a record for the English club for a teenager by surpassing the £5 million paid to Nottingham Forest for England under-21 international Jermaine Jenas. The transfer was also a record for a player of his age, breaking the 1999 record held by Robbie Keane; Newcastle invested heavily in young players in that year, and chairman Freddie Shepherd reasoned by claiming consensus that he was the best young player in the world of football.

Viana made his debut with Portugal on 14 November 2001, in a 5–1 friendly win over Angola. Replacing suspended Daniel Kenedy in the last minute, he was an unused member at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and played for his country at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Hugo Miguel Ferreira Gomes Viana (Portuguese pronunciation:  [ˈuɣu ˈvjɐnɐ] ; born 15 January 1983) is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.